Snap-switch.



No. 645,092. Patentd Mar. I3, 1900;

- G. w. HART.

SNAP SWITCH.

(Application filed Apr. 21, 1899) (No Model.)

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PATENT Fries.

GERALD. WV. HART, OF WEST HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT;

S NAP-SWITCH;

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 645,092, dated March 13, 1960. Application filed April 21, 1899. Serial No. 713,846. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GERALD WV. HART, a citizen of the United States, residing at West Hartford, I-Iartford county, Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Snap-Switches, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to snap-switches for use in electrical service; and it consists in the novel details of construction and the combinations hereinafter fully described.

Among the main objects of my invention are simplicity in construction, compactness, durability, effectiveness, and economy of manufacture.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved switch with the movable c0ntact-blade removed. Fig. 2 is a similar view, the position of some of the said parts being changed. Fig. 3 is a similar view, all the movable parts being shown in a position difierent from that indicated in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a similar view of the reverse side of the switch, including the contact-blade, the circuit being open. Fig. 5 is an end view of the switch mechanism on approximately the line 5 5, Fig. 4, looking in the direction of the arrow. Figs. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 are views of details.

A is a base, ordinarily made of porcelain or other insulating material. This base A may be provided with a finishing-plate B, through which the push-buttons C C or other operating devices project, Within the base A is mounted the switch mechanism.

D is a switch-blade pivotally mountedtoward one end, so that its free end may swing forward or backward. This blade may constitute one of the terminals. E is a terminalclip mounted in the path of movement of the free end of saidsWitch-blade. If desirable,

and as shown in Fig. 5, two switch-blades may be provided and likewise two clips. The switch-blade D is provided with a slot intermediate its length, in which slot moves an antifriction-roll F, preferably of an insulating material. The roll F is carried by a crank F to one side of its axis of rotation, so that as said crank is turned forward or backward it will through the medium of the antifrictionroll throw the free end of the switch-blade D forward or backward. The crank F is pivotally mounted on a supporting member G, which may be carried by the base A, and mounted upon the same axis with the crank F is a spring-actuated frame H. This frame has a laterally-projecting shoulder H.

J is a spring, the ends J J of which straddle the shoulder H.

K is a tilting operating-lever. This lever has a shoulder K, which also projects between the two ends Jand J 2 of the spring and adjacent and inside of the shoulder H. Connected to this frame K are the push-buttons C C, by which the same may be tilted as desired.

It will be seen by the mechanism thus far described that by pushing one of the but tons-say Cthe frame K will be tilted, and since the shoulder K on the operating part, as well as the shoulder H on the part H, is located between the ends of the spring I the said shoulders and other related parts will be moved together upon this common axis. Since the crank F is also mounted on the same rotating support, the same will be turned, shifting the position of the switchblade D. Since the making or breaking of a circuit by the means thus far described would be accomplished by a comparativelyslow movement of the contact-blade and since in electrical service it is of the greatest importance that this making or breaking of the circuit be accomplished in a very quick manner to avoid arcing, I preferably pivot to the operating-lever K a link L, the outer end of which is preferably guided by an extension L, which moves in a guide-slot G in the supporting member G. This link L carries apin L In the lower part of the spring-frame H is the slot M, having notches M M near opposite ends thereof. Into this notched slot the pin L projects.

I have referred to the connection between the crank F and the switch-blade member D as an antifriction-roll F, preferably formed of insulating material. Of course it will be understood that this connection may be nothing more than a suitable pin or its equivalent, since the substitution of a pin effects substantially the same end as a round roll. In what is known as a two-pole switch it is desirable that this connecting means he made of insulating material.

As shown in the drawings, there is a collar or hub G mounted upon the stationary part G and which when present serves as a pivotal bearing for the operatingdever K. This hub G may be provided with a small flange and will be found useful as a supporting means for the spring J.

In Fig.11 a detail View of the spring-frame H is shown. It will be observed that the slot M is widened. The purpose of this is to permit the lever K to be tilted when the con tact-blade D is stopped at an intermediate point in the length of its swing. In such an event the lever is tilted, which throws the link and the pin L downwardly, and since the slot is widened the pin does not strike any obstruction which would prevent the tilting of the lever K. By this tilting movement the spring-frame is swung back to a point where the pin will engage in the notch M, and then the parts may be operated in the usual manner;

Operation: Starting with the parts as arranged in Fig. 1, the downward movement of the push-button C will have a tendency to rotate all of the parts; but only the operating-lever K is permitted to rotate, since the pin L will project into the notch M of the spring-frame H, holding it in that position until the said pin shall be withdrawn from said notch M. As the push-button O is moved inwardly the shoulder K, bearing against the end J of the spring, moves it in the same direction and increases the tension of the spring, so that at the instant the operating-lever K has been tilted sufficiently far to withdrawthe pin L from the notch M the said spring J will quickly rotate the frame H and crank F, thus snapping the blade D into contact with the fixed terminal E. The parts Will now be in the position indicated in Fig. 3. The reverse movement is effected by pushing in the button 0, since the pin L will engage in the notch M until the last instant, when upon its removal the contact-blade will be snapped into the opposite position.

Although the spring J shown herein is a tension-spring, obviously other springs not technically tension-springs might be employed.

In Fig. 4 I have shown the terminals of an electrical circuit, which are insulated from each other and from the metallic portions of the switch. Obviously modifications might be made by which. one circuit is in electrical connection With the main metallic portion of the switch. To check the swing of the frame of movement of the shoulder II.

Other variations and changes might readily suggest themselves to the mechanic skilled in the art, and therefore I desire to have it understood that I do not intend that my invention shall be limited to the specified form and arrangement of parts herein specifically described, but do intend that the same shall cover and include all such variations and changes as are fairly within the spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim is 1. In asnap-switch, atilting operating part, an independently-mounted spring-frame, a stationary support, a link connected to said operating part and guided by'said support, notches in said spring-frame, the free end of said link alternately engagingin said notches, and a spring engaging said operating part and said spring-frame.

2. In a snap-switch,a tilting operating part, a pivotal support therefor, a spring-frame pivoted thereon, a locking device carried by one of said parts and engaging the other, a

spring engaging the operating part and the spring-frame, and an independent swinging contact-blade controlled by said spring-frame, said contact-blade mounted eccentrically of said operating part and spring-frame.

3. Inasnap-switch,a tilting operatingpart, a spring-frame mounted independently thereof, supporting means for said parts, a link carried by said operating part and cooperating with the spring-frame to lock and unlock the same and a spring engaging said operat-' ing part and said spring-frame.

4. In a snap-switch an operating part, a spring-frame mounted concentrically therewith but independently thereof, a link connected to one of said parts and engaging the other part to lock and unlock the same, and a spring engaging said operating part and spring-frame.

5. In a snap-switch a tilting operating part, a spring-frame mounted independently thereof, supporting means therefor, a link connected to said operating part, means to guide the end of said link, notches in said springframe, the free end of said link alternately engaging in said notches, and a spring. I

6. In a sn ap-switch a tilting operating part, a spring-frame, pivotal supporting means for said parts, a locking device carried by one of said parts and engaging the other, a spring for engaging said spring-frame and operating part, and a contact-blade pivoted eccentrically of said spring-frame, an operating part and connecting means between the springframe and said contact-blade whereby the movement of one of said parts will be transmitted to the other part.

7. In a snap-switch, an operating part and a spring-frame independently mounted thereof, a spring engaging said parts, lockingnotehes in one of said parts, a link controlled by one of said parts and adapted to engage with said locking-notches, and an intermedinotch between said locking-notches and a ate notch between said locking-notches. guide for the locking end of said link. 10 8. In a snap-switch, an operating part and Signed at New York, N. Y., this 20th day a spring-frame independently mounted thereof April, 1899.

5 of, a spring engaging said parts, locking- GERALD W. HART.

notches in one of said parts, a link, controlled Witnesses: by one of said parts and adapted to engage L. VREELAND,

with said locking-notches, an intermediate EMERSON R. NEWELL. 

